The National Assembly appointed TJ Kajwang, Yusuf Farah, Robert Mbui, and Naomi Waqo as members of the 11-member committee tasked with investigating Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi's impeachment.
The other members of the 11-member Committee are Rachel Nyamai, Samuel Chepkonga, George Gitonga, Jane Njeri Maina, Kassim Sawa Tandaza, Moses Malulu, and Catherine Omanyo. The motion to impeach CS Linturi stemmed from the fake fertiliser scandal that emerged in March.
While announcing the names on the floor of the House, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah called for impartiality among the committee.
“The integrity of their work and the credibility of their findings will hinge upon their ability to remain as objective as they can during the investigative process,” stated Ichung'wah.
However, Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, while seconding the motion, raised issues with the short timeline for the nomination of the committee members.
“Mr. Speaker, there are concerns that have been raised by my side, that the list from the Majority side comprises names of members who are deemed to be hardliners. I don't know how we shall cure this, but you will guide us,” queried Wandayi.
In his comments, Ichung’wah rejoined, “I want to implore on them that you now sit as a committee of the house. Irrespective of how you voted for the motion. You are now not going to sit to consider how you voted, but you are going to sit and consider the motion as it is, objectively, fairly as you can be, and without being biased.”
In his earlier directive to the legislators, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula stated, ”In nominating the members, parties are to ensure the nominees to the committee reflect the diversity of the house, including regional and gender considerations.”
While responding to the uneasy opposition members, Speaker Wetangula asserted, "I did tell you that if you reject this list, it will be the final nail on what you passed this morning. If you don't understand and appreciate that as seasoned debaters and legislators, then we are living a lie. The law is the law it doesn't have to be reasonable, it is the law. This is not the speaker's list, the speaker has no dog in this house."
The committee has ten days to probe the allegations levelled against CS Linturi before reporting back to the House.
Earlier on Thursday, the National Assembly approved the motion for the creation of a Select Committee to evaluate the allegations leveled against CS Linturi.
MPs voted to proceed with the impeachment process for CS Linturi. Parliament is in a rush to debate and conclude the impeachment motion before its upcoming recess in June.
